Chapter 15

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Fortified with good food, wine, and conversation, Stella helped Dom push back the furniture, and together they spread out the cases from Claudia’s folder on the Persian carpet.

Dom went behind Stella with Arkon’s correspondence to line up any of the cases that were the same.

Stella was glad for the task. Dinner had been enjoyable the same way their midnight pasta had been.

Probably too enjoyable.

Stella could get used to Antonio’s cooking and Dom’s company. He trusted her with his secret, and that meant everything. She couldn’t help stealing glances at him, trying to process what he had told her.

A level seven alpha? That should have been all over the news. An alpha that strong hadn’t been seen since magic first returned, and everyone would want to know how it happened.

Every other alpha in the Republic would begin to worry, because if Dom wanted to, he could probably make them all submit to him and upset the tenuous peace that the Doge and Council maintained.

The assassins sent after him alone would make his life hell.

If it wasn’t for the Aladoro name, Stella was sure that the med-mage’s that had examined him would still be trying to perform tests. Making her knees shake from the other side of a crowded room would be the least of his abilities if he really decided to explore them.

"What is it, Stella?" Dom asked, and she realized she had been staring. He was sitting on the carpet near her, his skin almost glowing in the light of the fire.

"Nothing."

"If you say so." The small smile was back even as his focus remained on the letters in his hands.

In front of a fire, with candles burning to light the room, the atmosphere was deceptively romantic.

"I was actually wondering what you have against artificer lanterns. Why stick with candles?"

"I have them, but I don’t like using them after a big day. My vision is sensitive enough as a shedu, and the glare of the lanterns gives me a headache. Candles are more relaxing. Why? Are your human eyes struggling?"

"No. I just thought that Antonio was trying to set a mood, that’s all."

Dom raised a dark brow. "And what kind of mood would that be, Stella?"

God, the way he purred out her name made her want to rub up against him.

"A mood that you aren’t fully prepared for," Stella replied, refocusing on the papers in front of her.

Dom hummed thoughtfully but didn’t push, thank God and all the saints. She didn’t know if her self-control was that good. Actually, she knew it wasn’t.

When Dom looked at her with a certain fire in his eyes, it made her feel like she was the only person in the world. Or that she was prey he wanted to hunt down.

She thought about what Antonio had said concerning a shedu’s singlemindedness once something seized their attention.

Hunting things down until they submit. Godhelp me.

"Stella, whatever you are thinking, please stop," Dom asked and cleared his throat.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was thinking of a design for a painting."

"Focus on something else." Dom sounded pained enough that Stella smirked, despite her embarrassment.

Could he sense her getting turned on? Wasn’t that what he’d said at Carnevale? It was both horrific and exciting.

Stella ignored him, looking at the list of names Luna had given her without really seeing it. Then it hit her.

"Cazzo! It can’t be."

"What?"

"I’ll have to double-check again, but there isn’t a single missing person from a Swords House." Stella got up and grabbed some paper and a pen from Dom’s desk. She split a page into four columns for each of the houses and started going through the cases again, putting a mark down for each person under their house column.

"Do you think maybe the kidnappers aren’t targeting them because they themselves are from Swords too?" Dom asked, sitting up.

"It would make sense. There are traditionalists out there with strong enough House pride to think they are more elite than the others. Also, you wouldn’t want to be recognized, and if you’re a House snob and only associate with Swords families, then the chances of anyone outside of them knowing your identity are slim."

Dom searched through the papers. "Where is the list of Clarissa’s lovers? Are there any Swords names on it?"

"Three." Stella passed him the list. "You said you didn’t know them."

Dom glanced over the list again. "Maybe not personally, but I know this man by reputation. He is a shrike shifter named Ciro Cullurio. He does business with my father, so I’ve seen him at events that Carmella hosts. She has a fundraiser tomorrow night that I’m meant to go to. I can try and talk to him then if he’s in attendance."

"I don’t know, Dom. I could be wrong about the Swords involvement. It’s only a guess," Stella said. She didn’t want him accusing anyone on such a slim lead.

"It’s a really good guess, Stella. How else can we explain that no one is from Swords? I’m going to be subtle when I question him." Stella must’ve worn a disbelieving look on her face because his frown deepened. "I can be subtle. I am a Council member, after all."

"Yes, I’m aware. Half of my staff is still pissing their pants over the last time you came around. People are scared of you, Dom. Maybe I could get more out of him."

"Ciro will talk to me because he’s ambitious. He’ll be flattered by the attention, especially when most of these parties are so dull. We can do the other two people on the list together."

"You don’t think I could handle a posh party?" she asked.

Dom laughed. "I know you can. I met you at one, remember? We were both bored out of our heads, and that was lively for a Swords party. You would be noticed straightaway because you’re so brilliant."

Stella folded her arms. "That doesn’t make sense."

"You are so viciously alive, Stella. That is attractive to a lot of shifters, especially the predators. Remember the infatuated hawk shifter that wouldn’t leave you alone at Carnevale? It’s because you have a vibrant aura of energy about you that’s irresistible."

"You resist perfectly fine," she said stubbornly.

"I hope you saved room for dessert," Antonio interrupted, carrying two plates of raspberry crostata, the latticework of the pastry perfectly browned.

"Marry me," Stella begged as she took hers.

"I would, sweet girl, but I believe my master wouldn’t like it very much," Antonio whispered.

"He would not," Dom confirmed.

"It’s very selfish of him to keep you all to himself, Antonio." The shedu in question chuckled.

"I’m flattered you think it’s me that he wants to keep, bella."

* * *

It wasclose to midnight when Dom took her across the canal in his boat. Stella had half the crostata in a container, a parting gift from Antonio that she would have to hide from Luca.

"I’ll let you know tomorrow evening if I get anything out of Ciro," Dom said as they pulled into the Vianello dock, and he tied the boat off. "If you find anything on the other two Swords people, please promise me you won’t follow them up without me."

Stella stepped onto her dock. "And why would I promise that?"

Dom grabbed her hand, making her turn back to face him. She was a head taller than him, and his sudden closeness made her breath catch.

"Because we are meant to be doing this together? Because it’s dangerous?"

"Because you’re an alpha who needs to get his own way?"

Dom’s hands went to her hips, tugging her closer into his circle of warm energy. "That too. Don’t think I don’t want you with me tomorrow night. I do, but the assholes that will be there don’t deserve your presence, Stella. I’d do anything to protect you from them."

Stella wanted to argue with him, but the earnestness in his eyes made her pause. He really was trying to look out for her, and despite her bravado, she didn’t have any idea what that part of his world was actually like.

"Okay, I won’t look into the others without you with me," she said softly. He relaxed but didn’t let her go.

"Thank you for breaking into my house tonight," Dom said.

"Thank you for feeding me. I’m tempted to break in again every time I want a nice meal."

"I’m sure Antonio would be delighted by your presence."

Stella bit her lip. "You as well?"

"Yes," Dom admitted, a smile starting at the corner of his mouth.

"Then I’ll think about it. Goodnight, Dom."

Stella went to kiss his cheek, but he moved at the last second, and her lips fell on his.

Heat rushed through her as his beautiful mouth pressed tentatively against hers. It was light and gentle, Dom giving her the chance to pull back if she wanted to.

She didn’t want to.

Stella grabbed the collar of his jacket, dragging him closer, and kissed him back with eight months’ worth of yearning behind it. He tasted of raspberries and smoky scotch, and she almost groaned when his tongue brushed against hers.

This is what she had been missing for months. She’d almost convinced herself the bone-melting heat she remembered from Carnevale had been her imagination. That the way he had made her feel was the result of adrenaline and cocktails.

How wrong she was. Dom’s clever, sinful mouth lit her body on fire. It was like a storm breaking as they both finally gave in to their desire.

She had to stop, had to take things slow, or she would throw herself at him, damn the consequences.

"That was naughty of you," Stella scolded when she finally pulled back and let him go.

"Zero regrets. I’ve wanted to do that for days," Dom replied, giving her a sweet smile that almost had her climbing back into the boat. "Sleep well, misteriosa."

"I’m not going to sleep at all now!" Stella complained as his boat pulled away. She watched it as it made its way across the dark canal.

Falling for him will only cause you heartache. Stella touched her tingling lips, knowing it was far too late.